Latest news with #KaranMehta
Entrepreneur
05-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
From Policy to Action: Why Recycled Plastic and Climate VC Must Drive India's Green Future
India's climate finance needs are estimated at USD 10 trillion by 2070 to meet its net-zero commitment, according to a report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). However, current public and private climate finance flows are just USD 44 billion annually (2022), far short of what's required. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. India's climate finance needs are estimated at USD 10 trillion by 2070 to meet its net-zero commitment, according to a report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). However, current public and private climate finance flows are just USD 44 billion annually (2022), far short of what's required. While domestic efforts such as the Sustainable Finance Task Force and green bond issuances have begun to accelerate, climate venture capital still has some ground to cover. Funds like Green Frontier Capital, which invest in early-stage climate-tech startups, are attempting to plug this gap by supporting scalable innovations in bio-based packaging, agri-waste valorization, and low-emission mobility. Karan Mehta, Venture Principal, Green Frontier Capital, said that we stand at an important moment in the global effort to combat plastic pollution. The Government of India's decision to permit the use of recycled plastic in food-grade applications marks a significant step forward. "This policy highlights that circular economy solutions are not only possible but are now officially acknowledged. While this is a positive development, we must remember that changing policies alone cannot undo the effects of years of overconsumption. The challenges posed by single-use plastics continue to impact our ecosystems and our daily lives. However, we have the power to drive meaningful change through our individual actions," said Mehta. India generates about 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Only about 60 per cent of this is collected, and much less is effectively recycled. Santosh Kumar Singh, Managing Director-Climate and Energy, Intellecap said we are no longer caretakers of a fragile planet, we are its emergency response team. "Climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion are no longer distant warnings; they are our daily headlines. We urgently need to identify the climate initiatives that hold promise, amplify the ones making quiet progress, and bring the right partners to the table. What we need now is catalytic, risk-tolerant capital and bold innovations that challenge the status quo," said Singh. Mehta added that every Indian can take a proactive step by committing to eliminate single-use plastics from their everyday routines. Simple actions, such as refusing plastic bags, choosing reusable bottles, or encouraging brands to adopt sustainable practices, can collectively make a difference. CPCB and NITI Aayog have both identified urban local bodies and consumer behavior as critical bottlenecks. Programs like Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 are attempting to address these with capacity-building grants for decentralized waste processing. "This initiative goes beyond waste management; it is about ensuring a healthier future for our children and our planet. This is a reminder that there is no Planet B.. Let this year be one where we transform our promises into actions and embrace responsibility. Together, we can make a significant impact, let's act now, with determination and unity," said Mehta.
India Today
13-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
CUET UG 2025 begins: Students find first shift moderately challenging
The Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduates (CUET UG) 2025 officially kicked off today, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducting the first shift of the examination across various centres in the country. Initial feedback and expert analysis of the first shift reveal a blend of expected patterns and surprising tweaks across key subjects such as English, General Test (GAT), Economics, and the detailed analysis for CUET UG 2025 Day 1, Shift 1, shared by Karan Mehta, Co-founder at ToprankersENGLISH LANGUAGE: VOCABULARY TAKES CENTRE STAGEThe English section this year leaned heavily on vocabulary. A significant number of questions focused on synonyms and antonyms, giving students an edge if they had a strong word base. Only three reading passages appeared—one factual and two narrative—accounting for around 12 questions in total. Grammar-based questions were fewer compared to previous years, and the overall difficulty level was reported to be between easy and TESTS: LOGICAL REASONING DOMINATES The General Test, covering a range of aptitude areas, posed a slightly greater challenge than last year, particularly in the Quantitative Aptitude section. Logical Reasoning saw the highest number of questions, while Current Affairs had a smaller footprint. However, questions from Static General Knowledge, often tied to recent events, featured prominently. On average, students encountered about 12–13 questions from the GK and Current Affairs category. This section was generally rated as moderately MICROECONOMICS IN THE SPOTLIGHTadvertisementCandidates attempting the Economics paper observed a noticeable focus on Microeconomics over Macroeconomics, with the inclusion of some newly added topics introduced by the section featured two reading passages and included several questions rooted in NCERT textbooks and the Annual Government Budget. While most of the paper was considered easy to moderate, a few tricky questions challenged even well-prepared A WELL-BALANCED AND MANAGEABLE PAPERThe Chemistry paper offered a comprehensive mix of questions from Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry. Both Physical and Organic sections had roughly 14 to 16 questions each, while Inorganic Chemistry comprised 9 to 11 questions. Numerical problems were mostly straightforward and formula-based, with only one or two requiring lengthy derivations. The consensus amongst test-takers was that the Chemistry section was the easiest of the lot.----The CUET UG 2025 will be conducted in multiple shifts through June 3. Students are encouraged to stay updated by regularly visiting the official NTA website for announcements regarding shift timings, admit cards, and other essential the exam progresses, more insights are expected to emerge, helping future test-takers fine-tune their preparation strategies for the upcoming days.
India Today
11-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Common University Entrance Test 2025: Students face woes with remote centres
As the Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduates (CUET-UG) 2025 unfolds, lakhs of aspirants across India face a wave of logistical difficulties that threaten to derail their academic aspirations. Students, particularly from Delhi-NCR, Meerut, and surrounding regions, are voicing growing concerns over the allocation of exam centres far from their chosen locations-some being asked to travel as far as Dehradun and Muzaffarnagar, despite having selected nearby cities as are calling the issue a case of poor planning and mismanagement. It has not only raised questions of safety and affordability but is also taking a mental and emotional toll on students already navigating the pressure of high-stakes examinations."It is deeply concerning to see CUET-UG aspirants across the country facing severe logistical challenges due to the apparent mismanagement by the NTA," says Karan Mehta, Co-founder of Toprankers. "Students being allotted exam centres in their third-preference cities - and, in many cases, hundreds of kilometres away - is not just inconvenient, it's unfair. This raises serious concerns about travel safety, affordability, and the emotional toll on students already under academic pressure."The lack of transparency surrounding rescheduled exam dates has only added to the anxiety. With several commerce stream students still in the middle of prolonged board exams, the overlap with CUET dates creates further complications. "The delay in exam conduct will inevitably push results back, leading to a late start to the academic session, disrupting university timelines. Students deserve transparency, efficiency, and empathy in the process - especially when their future hinges on it," Mehta adds. advertisement Manish Mohta, Founder of Learning Spiral, echoes similar sentiments. "Certain procedural rubrics on distant exam-center locations for CUET have caused great distress to students. Logging heavy costs while bearing the physical strain may deteriorate one's mental well-being as candidates find themselves in increased states of anxiety and tiredness, way before the exam."He emphasises that accessibility must be a core pillar of exam planning, especially for students from rural or economically challenged backgrounds, for whom long-distance travel is not always feasible. "These kinds of hindrances may not allow a student to give their best, which will affect their future," he education leaders are now questioning the very structure of CUET as a one-size-fits-all exam. W.R. David, Principal of Winmore Academy, Bengaluru, points out, "Selection based on board marks would make the process much easier for students. CUET completely nullifies the consistent effort put in by students during their board exams." He advocates for a more rigorous, concept-based board evaluation that could potentially replace the need for a separate entrance test, easing both stress and financial strain on students and the cumulative burden of last-minute travel, overlapping exams, unclear schedules, and rising coaching and transport costs is creating an environment that feels more exclusionary than inclusive. In a country where education is becoming increasingly digital, accessible, and student-centric, such oversights could undo the very progress the system strives to CUET-UG continues to be positioned as a gateway to 280+ universities, experts argue that now is the time to re-evaluate the student experience and reimagine an entrance process that is not only fair and uniform, but also compassionate and accessible to all.
